Rear servo brake on 1150gsa...just how s**t are they supposed to be?

[mspenz]

I know that this topic has been done to death already but I am curious to know how many of you with a working servo opt to ride with ABS switched off?
I've never had ABS on a bike before never mind servo assisted brakes and I am finding it difficult to get my head round it all, I can see the advantage of ABS and I also see the advantage of servo assist but just not all the time.

For example;

A - Riding up the Bealach-na-Ba fully laden and meeting some twat coming down in a campervan who refuses to pull into a passing place and forces me to stop on the verge on the edge of a drop with my left foot just touching the ground and my right foot hard on the brake trying to stop myself from rolling back, hanging on the front lever and feathering the throttle at the same time isn't at all easy (only had the bike a couple of weeks and still getting used to things).

B- Riding down from the Bealach in the wet and carefully negotiating those steep slidey hairpins, normally I would just gently use the back brake to 'drag' me down round the corners but the rear brake on it's own just isn't up to it so you need front brake as well....not comfortable!

I though that the rear was perhaps faulty and it may be so but I found this thread and the guys brakes are exactly like mine, I've done the ignition on/off rolling hill tests etc and the servo & ABS is definitely working.

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=858802&page=all

When I switch off ABS everything is bang on and as expected so I presume that it will be ok to ride like this until I decide to perform the 'servoectmy' ??

Sorry, I've only had the GSA a couple of weeks now but probably have around a dozen stupid questions already

 

[Fanum]

Which version do you have?

My GSA had the linked servo ABS, and I could happily forget about the rear unless it was just for off-road control or cornering.

IIRC, the front lever split the braking about 60/40 front to rear (no doubt someone will amend that soon) and apart from it feeling a tiny bit grabby if I was clumsy at really slow speeds, or a good few times when the ABS would kick in under hard braking to a roundabout as the rear pinged over a pebble (which let the brakes off suddenly, scary!) I found it superb....in fact, on one occasion, I'm convinced it saved my life (long story, been told before, but I stand by it....and yes it was my crap riding that got me into that position in the first place but the servo linked ABS saved me )


FWIW, I did a LOT of offroading on that bike, and I used to leave the ABS on......using just the rear on a steep downhill, it would trigger, free up the back and make me ride the bronco down....quite an experience

 

[Slipperyeel]

I'm not clear if you have Servo brakes it means they must be linked or are some linked others not? For example was it an option when buying the bike? And how do you know which you have?

Anyone know the answers?

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[mspenz]

Yeah, same version linked ABS on an 04'.
You are right, the stopping power is amazing when you just use the front lever so it looks like something that I will just have to get used to, the rear brake is pretty u/s when used alone on a heavily laden bike on a steep hill, probably to do with just one small servo being utilised?

I've just had a look at the paperwork and the Odyssey battery is almost 7 years old so it may be due to be changed soon but I haven't checked the condition yet, I know that the servo is quite sensitive to voltage and current so I'd better get the optimate set up.

All this aside....I love this bike

Mike.

 

[mspenz]

I'm not clear if you have Servo brakes it means they must be linked or are some linked others not? For example was it an option when buying the bike? And how do you know which you have?

Anyone know the answers?

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It's whizzy brakes, the linked servo version as described by Fanum.

 

[mspenz]

Had another thought, if the system is working as designed by BMW (which it probably is) are there any particular types of brake pads that might offer increased braking when using the rear alone? The bike was fitted with an new rear EBC disc and Ferodo Platinum pads 2000mls ago.

 

[Canuck]

I always bought the feredo pads from steptoe at gsshop.biz I had an 04 gsa with servo linked brakes. To determine if you have linked brakes never use the rear pedal apart from holding yourself at lights on a hill... if you still need to change the rear pads after 6000miles you have linked brakes. The linked part means that if you pull on the front brake lever you get 60% front and 40% rear braking. Without using the rear brake... I still only had to replace the front pads once in 24000 miles. I liked the servo system but if it ever went wrong I was happy to just remove the system as per a thread on here somewhere.

 

[Slipperyeel]

It's whizzy brakes, the linked servo version as described by Fanum.

It's still not clear. Are all Servo brakes 'linked'? That was my question. I know they all' 'whizz'...


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[Slipperyeel]

Canuck, thanks for the explanation. But you're saying i have to wait 6000 miles before i can tell? ;-)


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[The Grey One]

Canuck, thanks for the explanation. But you're saying i have to wait 6000 miles before i can tell? ;-)


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You could just wait or maybe you could turn the thing on, have it on the centre stand and see what happens when you apply the front brake!

John

 

[Steptoe]

You could just wait or maybe you could turn the thing on, have it on the centre stand and see what happens when you apply the front brake!

John

Hold on, you can't just go posting common sense stuff like this. It's too easy and will end the thread.

 

[DrFarkoff]

I had this problem on My Hybrid RS thing I built Whilst "playing" on a muddy gravelly lane I suddenly realised that I could not stop the RS has no ABS off button and the ABS wasn't allow any brake to function at all as it was so slippy!!!!

SO with a corner coming up very quickly and a rather branchy looking hedge being my presumed braking effort I had a sudden and thankful does of common sense! (Sorry Steppers)

I hit the kill switch and used the clutch lever as a back brake, an 1100 under compression in first will lock the back wheel very easily on soft stuff and allow you to knock some speed off Feathering the lever will obviously give a variation on the retardation if you are on the tarmac

(obviously you don't do this at 30 or 40 or you'll find yourself of your arse with no drive left as you have ripped the rubber in the driveshaft to shreads!)

So if the brakes schite you have an option!

As we say around here "Use your head! the feet are for walking!"

 

[Packer]

If it has a servo it has linked brakes. You should be able to lock the back wheel easily with the ABS off or feel the ABS kick in if it's still switched on. After servo removal you should still easily be able to lock up the back wheel.

If you can't, strip the calliper and check the pistons aren't seized or very stiff and that the calliper sliding mechanism is moving freely.

With the servo fitted try to just use the front lever for normal braking, if you use the back lever as well you'll find that you can lock the back quite easily and the rear pads won't last long. Pads? Ferodo Platinum from Steptoe at GS Shop They take some of the initial grab out of the brakes but as soon as you get a bit of heat into them they grip far better than other pads I tried such as genuine BMW, EBC etc.

 

[Slipperyeel]

You could just wait or maybe you could turn the thing on, have it on the centre stand and see what happens when you apply the front brake!

John

I simple ideas I'll give it a go at the weekend.



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[mspenz]

If it has a servo it has linked brakes. You should be able to lock the back wheel easily with the ABS off or feel the ABS kick in if it's still switched on. After servo removal you should still easily be able to lock up the back wheel.

If you can't, strip the calliper and check the pistons aren't seized or very stiff and that the calliper sliding mechanism is moving freely.

With the servo fitted try to just use the front lever for normal braking, if you use the back lever as well you'll find that you can lock the back quite easily and the rear pads won't last long. Pads? Ferodo Platinum from Steptoe at GS Shop They take some of the initial grab out of the brakes but as soon as you get a bit of heat into them they grip far better than other pads I tried such as genuine BMW, EBC etc.

The wheel locks up (too) easily with ABS switched off so there's no problem with the caliper and I'm already using Ferodo Platinum so it looks like I will have to adapt and adjust my riding style after 34 years of biking! Either that or switch off/remove the confusing alloy block....

Thanks for all the help, it's good to know that the majority of quirks and worrying noises/vibratons etc are considered to be 'normal' on the bikeopotomous

 

[mspenz]

I simple ideas I'll give it a go at the weekend.



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Hope all goes well and you find out what you actually have in the shed! Sorry that I am of no help but I'm very new to these machines and spend most of my time in a confuddled state around them

 

[The Grey One]

The wheel locks up (too) easily with ABS switched off so there's no problem with the caliper and I'm already using Ferodo Platinum so it looks like I will have to adapt and adjust my riding style after 34 years of biking! Either that or switch off/remove the confusing alloy block....

Thanks for all the help, it's good to know that the majority of quirks and worrying noises/vibratons etc are considered to be 'normal' on the bikeopotomous

Noises in themselves can't be worrying, to worry is something us humans do, machines don't bother. Just like getting angry or frustrated it is your choice to worry or not. Anyway I got some good advice when I bought my first Citroen in 1972, also a quirky machine. You start worrying about them when they stop making funny noises!

John

 

[warmshed]

How do you turn off the ABS on a servo model?

 

[mspenz]

Not ABS...

How do you turn off the ABS on a servo model?

Ignition off, press & hold ABS button on right side switchgear, switch on and wait until that ABS warning light stays on.

So, I have learnt something....

 

[mspenz]

Noises in themselves can't be worrying, to worry is something us humans do, machines don't bother. Just like getting angry or frustrated it is your choice to worry or not. Anyway I got some good advice when I bought my first Citroen in 1972, also a quirky machine. You start worrying about them when they stop making funny noises!

John

Thanks John, sound advice.